Nap Schedule for My 16 Month Old

Hi! My 14 m.o. just went through this. She wakes up @ 7a.m., then naps from 12-2 (she starts getting sleepy around 11, but I try to hold her off until noon). Then she can make it until 8:00 bedtime. She gets sleepy early evening, and I know if I want her to go down at 8, I need to keep her up, so I've found bathtime around 6 works to give her a little bit of a second wind. I miss the 2 naps, but I like the early bedtime, esp. since she's still not sleeping through the night :) Good luck...sometimes the transition from 2 naps to 1 takes a couple of weeks...at least it always has for my children.

It sounds like he is transitioning to 1 nap. He is at the age for it.

It can be a hard time because what he really needs is 1 1/2 naps, which, of course, isn't possible! If I were you, I would push his first nap as late as possible. Try giving him lunch before the nap to drag out the time. He should be nice and sleepy when you put him down and may start to sleep longer and then be able to make it to bedtime.

You could also try giving him his second nap way later in the day (like around 5pm) and waking him up after only 15-20mins or so. It will give him a little rest, but won't ruin his bedtime.

Good luck and congrats on your pregnancy!

Hi N.. The same thing happened with my son around the same age. I did make the transition to 1 nap he is now 18 month old and it works out nicely. He goes down for a nap around 12:30 after he eats lunch and usually will sleep till 3:00 and he is fine till he goes to bed at 8:30. I hated getting rid of 2 naps, but with 1 nap they usually will sleep a little longer.. not at first I found my son only slept for an hour when we first started the 1 nap but after a week of doing it, he started sleeping longer. Good luck!!

Hi, N.!
So I have the BEST book ever for help with sleep schedules: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. I have twin almost 16 month olds and they are on a great schedule. They get up at 7:30 or I wake them up around then, they go down for a morning nap around 9-9:30. I only let them sleep or "rest" for one hour then I get them up. We have snack and play until lunch around 12-12:30. I put them down again between 1-1:30 for their afternoon nap. I wake them up or they get up by 3:30-4. Their bed time is 7-7:30, which is great for me! This schedule works wonderfully for us. Sleep is the most important thing for both you and your growing baby, right? I also have another one coming soon - March 15.

Hope this helps!
Best,
R.

My daughter starting taking just an afternoon naps when she was about 14 months - she now takes about a two hour nap (if I am lucky)in the afternoon (anytime between 11:00 - 2:30). Then she goes down for the night between 7:00 - 7:30. She is really good about letting me know when she is ready for her nap (sometimes she goes in herself and lays down on her bed). Daylight savings has messed us all up:)

Hi N.,

Yes, I believe he is transitioning to a one nap a day schedule. It may be necessary for you to help him make the adjustment with the time. If he is getting up at 8am, keep him up until 11 or a little later. To do this when he is tired at 10, schedule playtime outside at 10 for about 30 minutes. Then, give him water or juice after playtime and make lunch. Feed him lunch and put him in his crib at 11 the earliest, 12 the latest. He may start taking the longer mid day nap now. It may last up to 3 hours. If he tries to sleep longer, wake him. He should be ready for a drink and a snack and then be good for the rest of the day with dinner and bath story time etc in the evening. This is the schedule I have found to be good. If he is cranky around 4 or 4:30, outside time is good again to play or take a walk, etc. Hope this helps.

B.

There are two things you could try. First, continue on your schedule and then change the afternoon nap to "rest time" where you don't require him to sleep but explain that it is rest time and he will have to stay in his bed for X amount of time, but that he is not permitted to cry. I would suggest telling him that Mama's body needs to rest so she can care for him and the new baby in her belly. This would give him a sense that while he is very important, others needs are important too. Second,transition to one nap. Start by moving the time in 30 minute increments. For a time, this may require putting him to bed earlier as well. You will see if his body is ready for this by the end of the first week. Always remember that his life will be one of constant changes and adjustments (more for you) and to respond to him with love and patience!